FOX Weather0%
State of Emergency declared across Los Angeles metro amid 'High Risk' flooding, heavy rain87%
By Julian Atienza0%
12/24/2025, 3:42:25 PM
Keywords: Flood, California, Disasters, Thunderstorms, Severe Weather, US, US Regions, West, Wind, Wind Extreme Weather
BS Summary: This article contains 8 faulty reasoning types, including Availability Heuristic, Anchoring Bias, and Optimism Bias, with Negativity Bias as the most egregious example at 70.7% saturation with 412 hits. Analysis detected 915 faulty-reasoning hits from 583 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 79% and a BS Rank of 87% (2,916 of 21,176 articles). This article is worse (more manipulative) than 86.20% of the article peer group.
LOS ANGELES — Widespread Flash Flood Warnings were issued across the Los Angeles metro area and other parts of Southern California Wednesday, as a powerful Christmas Eve storm triggered mudslides and emergency evacuations across the region.
The life-threatening floods come during what was expected to be one of the busiest days of holiday travel for millions of people.
After a washout and numerous mud slides reported Wednesday across Southern California, more rain is expected into Friday as the final round of rain impacts the state of California before a well-needed break.
Los Angeles remains under a level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk into Friday where an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain is possible before things wind down into the weekend.
While the rain this round won't be as intense, the flood risk remains due to already very saturated soils.
California's governor has declared a state of emergency for areas including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Shasta counties.
This will allow emergency personnel a chance to preposition resources and keep the community safe.
NWS: 'DANGEROUS SCENARIO IS UNFOLDING,' LOS ANGELES BRACES FOR RARE 'HIGH RISK' FLOOD THREAT THROUGH CHRISTMAS
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued Flash Flood Warnings for parts of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties early Wednesday.
Some of the warnings issued included rain rates as high as 1.25 inches per hour.
Mudslides caused by the storm washed out State Route 2 near Wrightwood, California, triggering home evacuations in that part of San Bernardino County, around 9:00 a.m. local time.
WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
First responders have requested additional crews to assist with those evacuations.
Caltrans reported road flooding and downed tree branches across Southern California early Wednesday, as the powerful storm system moved onshore.
A mudslide closed part of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, a main connection between the Pacific Coast Highway and the San Fernando Valley, in the Santa Monica Mountains Wednesday.
Evacuation warnings had been issued across Southern California ahead of Wednesday's storm, mostly for areas close to burn scars from January's wildfire disaster.
WHAT IS A WILDFIRE BURN SCAR AND HOW COULD THEY HAVE LASTING IMPACTS?
Ash from wildfires creates burn scars — a water-repellent coating that prevents the ground from absorbing water and causes the area to be predisposed to flash flooding and debris flows.
Los Angeles police officers went door-to-door earlier in the week warning people living in high-risk homes within evacuation zones.
7 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLASH FLOODS
The Los Angeles Fire Department issued evacuation warnings through 11 p.m. Thursday for possible debris flows around the Palisades and Eaton Fire burn scars that could impact the Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Sierra Madre communities.
Similar notices are in effect for neighborhoods around the Hurst and Sunset fires, as well as burn-scar and flood-prone regions across Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Orange counties.
People near the Palisades and Eaton Fire burn scars were urged to take protective action earlier in the week.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works distributed sandbags in Altadena and other vulnerable communities.
Los Angeles County opened a shelter in west L.A. ahead of the storm.
The NWS office in Los Angeles issued several warnings Wednesday for boaters regarding possible waterspouts.
WHAT IS A WATERSPOUT?
Farther north, the National Weather Service office in San Francisco issued a Special Marine Warning from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos, highlighting the threat of waterspouts and large waves.
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